I managed to avoid reading any commentary on Inception until I actually saw it for myself yetserday, though at this point, I cannot possibly hope to catch up with all of the bandwidth that has been spilled (not to mention plot spoiled)—in theory and in practice, for example—over Nolan’s polarizing masterpiece. Also: A.O. Scott on film criticism in the digital age in theory and in practice; Dileep Rao (who plays Yusef) gives us the straight dope; Jonah Lehrer speculates on the neuroscience behind the film. Plus, Jonah Lehrer on LSD (in a manner of speaking)

Tom Vanderbilt included a link to Dave Horton’s unabashedly self-righteous five-part essay on the fear of cycling in his own musings on bicycle highways for Slate. Definitely required reading for anyone who chooses to bike for transportation (as opposed to simply for leisure), with the caveat that it feels a bit too much like justification for my sense of entitlement that I feel when I tell pedestrians to get out of the bike lane. Still, the car culture of the US is easily worse than that of the UK (where Horton’s expertise lies; at least London has congestion pricing) and the essay actually affirmed my fear that cycling still has a long way to go.

In the interest of organizing “Assorted Links” into semi-sorted links, I’ve decided to offer them in several different editions. (This will also allow me to post more links more frequently by obviating the embarrassment of a constant stream of “Assorted Links” posts in the Recent Posts section.)

–Chinese industrial designer Daizi Zheng is getting some buzz for her innovative Nokia green phone, which runs on a carb-fueled bio-battery. Enzymes convert the sugars from, say, a can of Coke, into electrical energy. (Dezeen)

She has also created concept packaging for fruits and vegetables.

–The Nike Air Force 1 High Hiking Boot is the latest manifestation of the hiking / workboot aesthetic—hexagonal eyelets, heavy-duty laces, stiff leather upper, earthy colorway—that they introduced last fall with the Royal Mid (pictured below). Drawing inspiration from the likes of Red Wing Boots, the workboot look—classic in itself—refreshes a classic sneaker silhouette. I’ve never been a big fan of the AF1 midsole, but the perforated swoosh is a nice understated touch. (HB)

That said, I prefer the inaugural Royal Mid version: the trademark strap of the AF1 High imparts more of an overt streetwear aesthetic as opposed to the cleaner cut of the lesser-known Royal Mid style.

–Pavement’s 2010 comeback continues, this time in greatest-hits form. The “fully remastered 23-track compilation”, entitled Quarantine the Past, “digs deeper than the hits” and is slated for a March 9th release. Matador has challenging fans to guess the final tracklisting in order to win a handful of Pavement-related prizes. (Matador)

–New Lil’ Wayne: “Drop the World (ft. Eminem)” from Weezy’s forthcoming Rebirth, slated for a Feb. 1st release. Related: Gucci Mane is the new Lil’ Wayne? Is this what I’ve been missing in American music in the last two months? (HB)